Staff at CHVC
Your pet’s wellness is best ensured through preventive medicine. It is the least expensive and most effective way to keep your pet at its healthiest for many years to come.
Our staff goes through continuous education so as to be able to assess and create individual plans for each pet to prevent or reduce severity of diseases. We invest in training and new technologies to improve our service to your companion.
We are a dedicated team that provides a warm and caring environment for your pet, offering a complete care philosophy. This means that in addition to medical attention, we will give you advice and strategic help to address other areas of daily living which impact on your pet’s well being. Our team genuinely cares about you and your pet, and will strive to make your experiences here pleasant and comfortable for both of you.
Dr. Ricardo Bonafine
Dr Ricardo Bonafine obtained his DVM degree in 1991 from the University of Buenos Aires, in Argentina. He worked for more than 10 years in Emergency and Critical Care in his private practice and at the University School Animal Hospital.
In Calgary, he worked as an Associate Researcher at the Medical School, University of Calgary in the Neuroscience Group. He later obtained his Canadian license, and worked at a Veterinary Emergency Center. He decided he needed a more quiet way of life, and moved to Prince George in 2007, where he worked for 4 1/2 years at Prince George Veterinary Hospital. In May 2012 he opened his own practice in College Heights, Prince George.
He was honored with the Veterinarian of the Year Award by the Northern BC SPCA in 2012.
Dr. Rachel McCann
Dr. McCann’s passion for veterinary medicine started with the childhood dream of becoming a DVM. Upon finishing high school, Dr. McCann branched out to work in the trades, but never did forget the calling for medicine. After a few years of working in northern Alberta, she decided to return to her hometown of Prince George to pursue pre-veterinary studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. From here, she was accepted into the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and made the move to Saskatchewan. Following graduation, she returned home to Prince George and joined us at College Heights Veterinary Clinic. Dr. McCann shares her home with two large and loveable rottweilers, four snuggly cats, and her fellow pet-loving spouse, Brandon.
Dr. Victoria Rojas
Victoria grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She attended Veterinary School at the University of Buenos Aires. After completing her studies, she worked 10 years in an Emergency and Critical care Hospital.
Her fields of interest are Ultrasonography, Oncology and Emergencies.
She moved to Prince George 3 years ago, joining College Heights Veterinary Clinic.
Dr. Victoria loves hiking and spending time outdoors. She has two adorable and mischievous cats Maple and Gus.
Dr. Carolina Saporito
Carolina knew from a young age she wanted to be a DVM. She decided to follow her dream and studied at University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, becoming a Vet in 2013. Since then, she practiced as a Small Animal DVM in Buenos Aires until she moved to Prince George in 2021. In her spare time, she loves doing outdoors activities and going to the lake with family and friends.
Flavia
Flavia worked for 15 years teaching and doing Research at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the University of Calgary, Alberta. After her forty-ager crisis, she decided she wanted to change careers, and went back to school at the College of New Caledonia, where she studied Business. She is the Manager and also helps wherever is needed.
Christina
Christina has been an Animal Health Technologist for 10 years. She graduated from Fairview College in 2002. She then stayed on an extra year to complete a Certificate in Equine Studies. Christina started out in a Mixed Animal Clinic in Alberta for 7 years. She moved to Prince George to work in a Small Animal Practice. Her main interests in the practice are Surgery, Ultrasound and X-ray.
Shelby
Shelby has had an interest in working with animals since a young age. Her career began as a volunteer kennel attendant and later progressed into an assistant role. After falling in love with the field, she pursued a diploma as a Registered Veterinary Technologist. She graduated in 2019 from Douglas College and began working with CHVC that same year.
Shelby enjoys working in all aspects of the clinic, however radiology and surgery are the most intriguing.
Tami
Tami started as a volunteer at CHVC and PG animal rescue. Shortly afterwards, she assumed the role of an assistant/receptionist. It was during this period that she made the decisive choice to pursue a career as a RVT. She was accepted at TRU and is currently working towards her diploma.
Jorge
Jorge is a DVM graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 2018. He took a large variety of courses regarding internal medicine and postgraduate studies in soft tissues surgery. He has worked in several veterinary clinics in Argentina, performing small animals clinical medicine, emergency and surgery.
He moved to PG in November 2023 and has been working at CHVC as a vet technician until he finishes revalidating his degree. He plans to continue growing in the profession while working diligently at the clinic hoping to make a difference when it comes to saving animals’ lives.
Luca
Luca works at CHVC as an animal health technician. He graduated as DVM from the University of Buenos Aires in 2022, he previously worked as a technician in small animal practice and as a volunteer at the university’s equine hospital.
He moved to Prince George in 2023 looking for a better quality of life, pursuing his goal of validating his license in Canada. However, he didn’t know he was going to find a loving puppy that he would be taking home, becoming his sidekick in all the hiking trips they love to do.
He is enthusiastic about emergency care, ultrasound and physiotherapy, but his goal is to become a good all-round professional and give back to the northern BC community.
Sofia
Sofia knew she was going to dedicate her life to animals’ health since she was a little girl. She worked as an assistant in a veterinary clinic while she was studying, and graduated as a veterinarian in 2021 in the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since then, she worked in several small animals’ clinics in Buenos Aires and finally moved to Prince George in 2023 to become part of CHVC family. Meanwhile she intends to achieve her goal of validating her license in Canada, she enjoys sharing her passion and commitment for work and learning even more about animal care
Olivia
Olivia graduated high school in 2021 and she’s taking some time off school to explore her options. She started working at CHVC in August 2023 and really likes working up at reception. She loves meeting all the pets when they arrive
Andrew
Andrew has always had an interest in animals since childhood and discovered his passion for animals when he started volunteering at the PG Humane Society in 2017. He is working towards enrolling in the Animal Health Technology Program at TRU in the near future. On his spare time Andrew enjoys the outdoors and volunteering at a local animal rescue.
Jolie
Jolie-Elyn graduated in 2020 in the early age of Covid, and has been working at CHVC since august 2023. She hopes to go to school to become a registered animal technologist. Her favorite part of the job is seeing all the animals and helping with ultrasounds
Bea
Bea graduated from high school in 2019 and has been an avid animal lover from a young age. She hopes to go to school to become a registered animal technologist. Her favorite part of her job is helping with ultrasounds.
Leti
Leti studied Communication in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and graduated from university in 2007. From a young age she loved animals, inspired by her father who was a veterinarian. Seeking better opportunities, she decided to migrate with her husband Jorge (who is also a vet) and their dog Vita, to Northern BC. This position as Assistant Manager is the perfect combination for her, as it offers the opportunity to pamper pets and assist both the clients and the staff.
